Crime Watch, BE SAFE, BE SMART!!!!

Our neighborhood has decided that we will start a neighborhood wide community watch program. With the rise in theft and crime we as a group decided that it was time for us to give back to the community. Living in a smaller town you become secure and don't think about someone coming into the neighborhood with the intent o stealing or vandalism. We have only had egging and petty stuff, but officers with the Travelers Rest police pointed out some risky things that neighbors are doing that leaves themselves wide open . Here are a few you might want to bring up with your community. The police notices the following things: Also we were told that there are predators riding around looking for young girls, they are often kidnapped and sold as sex slaves and smuggled out of the country to pay for drugs, and YES it does happen in small towns! BE SAFE!! BE SMART Start a Community Watch and help the police keep a eye on your neighborhood!

1. Leaving garage doors open so others can see in the garage. Thief's can be in and out . Also someone with more than thief on there minds can hide in your garage and wait for the homeowners. Please keep your garage doors closed.

2. Back doors wide open, just waiting on someone to come in on the resident. If you like the light have dead bolts on them, and never open the door to a stranger.

3. Small kids playing near the street or the front yard without parents watching, a huge no no.

4. Leaving windows open while your not a home, another way someone can have easy entrance to your house.

5. NOt leaving outside lights on, or not having lighting around your home, also not keeping bushes trimmed around your house yet another way for someone to hide and wait on you.

6. Jogging or walking at night without someone with you. One police officer spotted a women in short shorts running at 4 am! Use the buddy system if you must do this at night or early mornings.